Controversy was the name of the game this weekend with plenty of talking points across the Premier League.

Manchester City cut the gap on Manchester United at the top of the table as Gareth Barry headed in a late, contentious winner against Reading, while United themselves dropped two points on a fiesty afternoon at the Liberty Stadium versus Swansea City.

Arsenal bookended the week with two important wins and Liverpool recovered from their defeat to Aston Villa with a comprehensive beating of Fulham.

However, the weekend's most eye-catching result came at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea thumped Aston Villa 8-0.

Here, Sports Mole picks out the 11 players who made their mark on the action.

Asmir Begovic (Stoke)
The Bosnian was a solid presence at the back for the Potters as they frustrated Spurs at White Hart Lane.

Leighton Baines (Everton)
Baines was yet again as important in attack as he was in defence for the Toffees as they came from behind to beat West Ham.
Ryan Nelsen (QPR)
His side may have lost at Newcastle, but the New Zealander put in a committed performance at the back for QPR.
Martin Skrtel (Liverpool)
The Merseysiders' rock in defence, Skrtel got his team going with a goal in their 4-0 rout of Fulham.
Davide Santon (Newcastle)
The Italian atoned for last weekend's horror show against Manchester City with an accomplished display versus QPR.

Stewart Downing (Liverpool)
He may have taken his time, but a goal and an assist against Fulham proved that Downing could yet have a future at Anfield.
David Luiz (Chelsea)
The Brazilian is relishing his new role in central midfield and he struck home a sweet free kick in Sunday's 8-0 hammering of Aston Villa.
Santi Cazorla (Arsenal)
Cazorla's hat-trick against Reading on Monday was as easy on the eye as you're likely to see this season.
Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
The Belgian was at his tricky best in the Blues' thrashing of Aston Villa.

Steven Fletcher (Sunderland)
The savvy striker chipped in with another vital goal for the Black Cats as they edged out fellow strugglers Southampton.
Romelu Lukaku (West Brom)
Lukaku is thriving at the Hawthorns following his loan move from Chelsea and he showed all of his trademark strength to net the winner in the Baggies' victory over Norwich.